More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

[BEEFSTIX]

They had it coming, I don't think many people expected it to do well either.

It's just a weird idea anyhow. After Vista flopped they kinda un-****ed themselves and put out Win 7, but 8 on the otherhand isn't vastly different (like XP > Vista) so it's more like "Windows 7: Retard edition". Other than the fact that it might look pretty on an All-in-One PC, it seems like a rather unnecessary addition to the line of Window's OS's.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Now here's something else for the books and get us back to the 8 topic at least. Some I know wil immediately frown at just the title of this one alone for sure! Here's Why The Windows 8 UI Makes Sense ??? is about where I would put it as well!

My step-brother has Windows 8, and I've used it many times, and I still find it tedious just to get to the Control Panel, to uninstall some bundled crapware he usually gets too often

I don't understand how the author of the article, can say that other Windows has four different UI's, and say it is has complicated as Windows 8?

But then there’s the duality aspect of Windows 8 and its classic “Desktop” environment. People are confused by this because they think of the desktop app as still being the primary part of the Windows operating system as it has been since 1995. Guess what though… Windows has always had multiple user interface options. I count four of them in Windows 7:

• Windows 7 Desktop – this is the primary one you’re all used to with a taskbar at the bottom and a Windows button in the bottom left.
  
• Windows Media Center – this UI is optimized for both touch and 10 foot big-screen interaction. It can be chosen as the default UI for Windows, supports Media Center compatible apps, and includes its own settings panel.
  
• Command Prompt – Yes, the computer interface of the early 80s is still there.
  
• Windows XP Mode – For increased compatibility in Windows 7, you could always launch a Windows XP virtual machine with its own UI and its own applications.

Yes, Command Prompt, simply type "cmd" into the Start Menu; Windows XP VM acts as another program, easy to set-up and find and the Windows 7 desktop, this acts as main screen I know where I am, and when everything has been fully closed with the taskbar. SIMPLE.

 

[Night Hawk]

Some people like to fill blog pages I guess! There is one guaranteed method of getting into the Control Panel however that started with Vista. Simply right click on the desktop to bring up that screen and instead of clicking on Personalization simply click the Control Panel home like at the top left side.

Up until 8 cama along you could also see the CP and various items listed under the drives in any Windows Explorer window. I still have to try pinning the 7 shortcut to the task bar while I still have the 8 RP VM running to see if that will work on 8 as well as it did on 7. And wouldn't you know it there's a solution for 8 as well as 7! http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/44340-control-panel-all-tasks-list-shortcut.html

Besides slapping the same gui you see on Windows RT for their new line of tablets they also managed to scatter things a bit between the hidden right click menu right where the Start screen popup appears provided you don't bring up the desktop properties in the process. And then you have the Settings/Apps Crawler toolbar on the right side of the screen.

What the author doesn't get into is the need to run 3rd party apps to replace what MS took out to get back to a working desktop gui over simply clicking on oversized buttons intended for portable devices since the touch and swipe was never designed with the desktop in mind. To bring in better touch and swipe deal on a desktop release a new desktop gui would be the thing they should have worked out.

That would be in a progressive line from the improvements in that direction seen in 7 but further enhanced. It would also take into consideration those still working with non touch capable displays rather turning the OS upside down just to promote a new line of Tablets.

 

[Nemix]

I'm one them...gave Windows 8 so many chances and even gave the leaked beta of Windows Blue a try.

There's a lot I like about Windows 8 desktop better than Windows 7 however I cannot get over the fact Windows 8 is essentially two OS's in one, the missing start menu (can be fixed with Start8 but it does not feel the same as native) and the ugly new Aero themes.

I can only imagine how Windows 8 could have been if there was a desktop only version without MetroUI since at least for me Windows 8 desktop does feels faster and smoother than Windows 7.

 

[SIW2]

It looks like MS are going the other way.

They are trying to keep people more in metro.

Reducing desktop functionality - eventually it will be removed.

The idea is obvious.

Metro is the way MS have control. The start screen is the advertising billboard. It is there to get people into their online ( soon to be subscription ) services, and pushes their flagging products, like Bing.

MS control everything from the store.

The more users are in Metro - the more control MS has.

When the desktop goes completely, MS have complete control.

 

[whs]

The big question is whether the users will put up with that. I am preparing myself for the 'after Windows' times.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Unless we all stay with Windows 7, then I guess many users may switch to Linux.

 

[whs]

Unless we all stay with Windows 7, then I guess many users may switch to Linux.

That is exactly where I am headed: http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/282018-i-bored-so-i-made-enjoy.html

 

[PaulGo]

Leaked Windows Blue build points to desktop mode being ‘eased out’



One comfort for Windows 8 users has been the ability to switch out from the tiled interface to the standard desktop mode, but the recently leaked build of Windows Blue shows that Microsoft (MSFT) may be phasing out that security blanket in the future as well. Paul Thurrott’s Windows Super Site has found that the Windows Blue build adds “a ton of new settings” to its PC settings tile “that were previously only available in the desktop-based Control Panel interface.” Thurrott says that by moving desktop functionalities to the tiled interface, Microsoft is gradually trying to nudge users away from desktop mode and thus pave the way for a Windows 9 operating system that “potentially” comes with no desktop mode intact.

Windows Blue: desktop mode being phased out | BGR

(Virtual) Hands-On with Windows 8

 

[SIW2]

Yes, that was always coming .

It is part of the plan.

MS are destroying the personal computer, the sacrosanct space where the user has control.

They are turning everything into a phone. That is a space where MS has control and a constant revenue stream.

It will take a while. MS are trying to keep users more and more in metro - that means more control and more revenue for MS.

Metro is not the end in itself - Metro is the means to an end.

Those of us who have had Blue for a few days can see them continuing with it.

I am beginning to think they will get away with it.

So few understand what they are doing, and they can use their monopoly power to push it through.

 

[SIW2]

It is quite funny on 8 forums.

Personally, I am fascinated watching this unfold.

There are a few on 8 forums who get very upset because they like the little squares and so on.

It is not their fault, MS doesn't want to make it obvious to everyone - it would be a lot less effective if the users knew what they were doing.

I suppose more people will catch on at some stage.

 

[whs]

Well, since Shawn cleaned the place up, it is a lot quieter. Let's keep it that way.

 

[SIW2]

A couple of the extreme ones have been banned.

Hopefully there won't be a repeat of that kind of thing.

Much more pleasant atmosphere here.

 

[SIW2]

I think quite a lot of them will.

You are right about other os.

If something else was generally easily available - Linux on oem machines for example, then a reasonable number would go for that.

Because those are not generally available, MS will be able to migrate most users to phone style os on various size devices.

The big question is whether the users will put up with that. I am preparing myself for the 'after Windows' times.

 

[gregrocker]

When we showed up at MVP Summit 2011 and were told our feedback wasn't wanted on Win8, it gave me a sick feeling. Now that the absolute worst has happened those still with a passion for MS's epic achievement in Win7 should speak out to avert total disaster.

I am typing this from a laptop in Office Depot where I've started spending time studying the most amazing thing: No one is trying the new PC's at all. Not here, not across town, not across the country. They may walk up and take a poke at the Win8 screen but when it doesn't react to touch and they can't find a Start button, they walk away. I am always the only one trying the various PC's, looking in vain for the new touchscreens which surely would have come out by now if Win8 was meant for desktops.

The fact is Win8 offers zero desktop experience. If you configure it to be productive for what the great mass of office workers, writers, even home users want a laptop or a desktop for, then you've added a Start button and maybe gadgets back in....and you have Win7 with a little bit of Explorer improvement.

So Win8 should have never been on these PC's and needs to come off of them now, so MS doesn't through its over-reaction to Ipad trigger the very fear that existed in the back of their minds: death of desktop. The desktop will never die as long as users need a productive, easily intuitive desktop experience to get work done. So take Win8 off of desktops now and return the rightful OS to them, the best OS ever created, which doesn't show a day of age yet.

Put the germane improvements into Win7 SP2 and carry on with the booming 7 sales, especially now that business has weighed the two OS's and made its decision to move 100% full steam into Win7. Any idea that you're going to phase out Win7 now is beyond ludicrous, it's market suicide. If business isn't the market speaking, I dont' know what is.

Then introduce the new touch screens like Surface and other entries starting to trickle out with the OS that complements them, selling the two OS's side-by-side for what they are rightly intended. No more trying to force users who don't want unintuitive desktops, no matter how slick of a social media GUI presented in videos. Users would need months of training to adapt to that. Give them what works now.

Finally please realize what was rudely skipped over and particularly offends us here at the top tech forums on the web because we support Win7: You created the best OS ever and possibly the greatest achievement in tech history, Windows 7.

 

[SIW2]

Greg,

were told our feedback wasn't wanted on Win8

Why would MS care what the MVP's think.

selling the two OS's side-by-side

MS don't want to do that.

They want to move their existing users to a phone style os.

It is better for MS.

They don't want to give the users a choice of a separate desktop os.

 

[gregrocker]

Si, what I'm getting at is that with business now being forced to migrate from XP and choosing Win7 almost unanimously, it would be going so head-on against the market to try to phase out Win7 that it would be economic suicide. In fact the market would correct it if it requires replacing the entire corporate hierarchy. Stockholders don't join in suicide pacts. I think it is that dire.

Converging you also have the Win8 sales which are dead in the water. The big box stores are seeing no Win8 PC sales except online and those unsatisfied customers are returning them to the stores. They want Win7.

Here would have been a way out: to easily upgrade Win8 to Win7. But they've been stubborn about even that. So they are faced with ruin unless they relent, put Win7 on desktops and laptops with an SP2 soon, Win8 on touchscreens, and/or give users a choice at the bare minimum.

 

[SIW2]

Business can stay with 7 for a while - it will be supported , of course - MS can't pull support - that really would be suicide.

They are going for the consumer.

MS have monetised business well. Now they are monetising the consumer.

you also have the Win8 sales which are dead in the water

8 sales would be even worse if something else was generally available.

MS are prepared to subsidise oem's, and wait for the users to cave.

It is starting to happen a little. Users cannot hang on forever - and if the prices come down enough - they will go for it.

That is the plan.

MS can do that because they have monopoly power.

 

[Layback Bear]

To me the answer is just to simple for Microsoft to understand.

Choice is the answer.
Not Microsoft's choice but the consumers choice.

 

[Lone Browncoat]

Unless we all stay with Windows 7, then I guess many users may switch to Linux.

There are a few on 8 forums who get very upset because they like the little squares and so on.

That's because the majority of today's users want Jake Sisko's Padd [from ST-DeepSpace9] or even more aka Avatar or Minority Report like Alvin Pascual from that Blue article quoted.

Myself, I like building desktops, determining what components i want to install, from mobo features to video cards to the type of tuner cards [MyHD MDP-130] and the choice of running legacy hardware and/or applications.

Though most people don't build....hence the overtaking of desktops by laptops.
A kind of a reverse from the situation in the 1980s.
Where i was into the Atari computers and also part of a minority that not only wanted to see the company go from closed architecture but in going to open many of us users just wanted the Tramiel brothers to concentrate on developing The Operating System along with Digital Research's front end the Graphics Environment Manager or GEM and stop producing computers all together. Handing over mobo production to everyone else from Asus to Zotac and having just a place to insert the Atari ROMS/EEPROMS, much like contemporary industrial mobos [and some consumer] have slots on the boards for CF or SD cards.
In those days if you were a command line wiz, you were king(or queen) but many of us felt more productive with a GUI, true.....no memorizing of obscure syntax to get things done. Indeed that is why I abandoned my Sinclair and other kits for the ST/TT/Falcon series [and wish i had bought a 4,upgradable to 16MB STacy laptop eventhough it was a battery eater]. The other Motorola 68xxx 32 bit computer, the Commodore did go open,kind of, with their PC-cased Amiga series but by then other PCs were coming down in price and sales were driven by business purchasers and the ignorance of HR types who though Excel was the only spreadsheet, I got so mad at one dame once I brought in a 1040 and monochrome monitor to show her that all spreadsheets followed the same rules and the end result was more important than the tool. For a while though GEM was superior to Windows 3.1 but the public [chiefly in North America] were ignorant of the advantages and the Tramiel brothers refused to listen to their user base, believing they know best. True much of this history took place before the trends to form cross-platform file compatibility but most of you here know that.

Like "whs" I've prepared myself for "after Windows" returning to UNIX after leaving it behind with the Sinclair and other kits. I'm not going to like it though, a little more work involved in preserving the /home directories than just copying the profile folders and .ini from Mozilla products because i like using the
PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives suite.......saves from having to re-install when when going through each OS install, just add the few non-portable utilities one uses and go.